5 MINUTE DIY HOLIDAY HOME DECOR

The temperature is dropping, holiday music is playing, and the Yule fire log is available on TV. If you’re feeling festive and have secretly been dying to give DIY projects a try, then please keep reading for some great holiday decor ideas for the home.

Whether you’re a new home owner or not, these projects will allow you to explore your inner creative side, and save a few pennies at the same time.

Maybe you’re looking to brighten things up with a holiday chandelier, or maybe you’d like some festive wall art, or perhaps you’re look for a glittery centerpiece?

Keep reading for some cute and simple holiday how-to’s!

Chandelier Dress Up

CHANDELIER DRESS UP

To create a silver ornament cluster for your chandelier or light fixture, follow these easy steps:

• You will need a roll of fabric ribbon and a container of ornaments varying in size. The  colour combination is up to you.

•  Take a roll of ribbon, and cut it into four pieces, varying in length.

•  Fold your first piece of ribbon in half and slip your smallest ornament through one of the ends. It will end up on the bottom as your ‘support ornament’.

•  The rest of your baubles can just be threaded through either loose end of the ribbon. Be sure to increase the size of the ornaments as you go. 

•  Repeat these steps four times. Tie the end of your ribbons to your current light fixture. 

BOW SHADOW BOX

If you want a fun wall art, that has a bit of a modern feel to it, try this project out. All you need is a shadow box, and approximately 25 bows (depending on size of your shadow box), a sheet of scrap book paper, and maybe some glue.

Shadow boxes are available at craft stores or Wal-Mart for under $10. The shadow box below is 12x12. Any size will do though. You may wish to use a two or three pack of shadow boxes too. This design process is up to you!

•First, you need to open the shadow box, and ensure that your piece of scrapbook paper fits. Trim accordingly.

•Use a ruler to make sure that whatever shape you wish to fill in with bows is centered and has   equal space around it. You can choose any shape for your bows. The frame below was measured so that there was enough room for 2.5” border around the square.

•Begin filling your shape in with bows. You can either use the sticky adhesive on the back of the bow, or you can reinforce it with additional glue.

•Your shadow box should now be ready to be filled in with shimmery holiday bows. Place on wall to spread some cheer!

Bow Shadow Box

PEAR SPARKLE

The last DIY holiday decor idea is very simple. It makes for a great table centre piece that takes you through the holidays, or for entertaining.

You simply need to head to your local Dollar Store, and grab some plastic fruit, glue, and glitter.

•Paint the piece of fruit with a coat of glue.

•Roll in glitter. Ensure it’s thrououghly covered.

•Allow time to dry

The finished pieces of glittery fruit would look beautiful in a clear, glass bowl. If you desire a more elaborate display, consider placing them on a serving tray, with elegant candle holders in white and silver, or with shiny ornaments scattered around. 

In the mood to create your own holiday magic yet? Make a night of it with some snacks, wine and friends. Or bundle up in pj’s with the family and sip some hot cocoa. Or, maybe you need a quiet night of creativity alone.

No matter how you choose to spend your night of DIY home decor– happy holidays to everyone, from all of us at at A.D. Group.

Your Basement Is Your Sanctuary

You have a house, with a basement, and now that you've actually had time to sit down and think about what to do with this extra living space, you don't know how to choose.

The ideas are endless which may make it hard for all family members to be happy with the finished product. One thing to keep in mind, it must be comfortable and inviting. Your once dark, cold cellar can be the warm and wonderfully designed space you've always wanted.

Let's think practicality, your basement should have an extra room for guests and a full bathroom for them to enjoy. With that said, why not turn the basement into your entertainment masterpiece?

Inevitably, the first thing that comes to mind is building a bar and a close second is comfortable seating. 

Perhaps a location to play board games or bar games. The entertainment doesn't stop at the bar itself.

Another option is to build a theatre room. One with a fireplace perhaps? Theatre rooms are great for family movie night and can be used for your entertainment room as well. No one said you had to limit yourself to one theme.

Whatever you do decide though, have a plan in place and get numerous quotes from licensed contractors. Not only will your basement be finished and up to code but you will be happier with the result.

Dreaming big; living larger

Bridgewater Forest is the latest and greatest neighbourhood built in the Southwest area of Winnipeg. It has 70 acres of open space; including forests and lakes, and yet it's just minutes from amenities. It has a little bit of everything for the young, old, and everything in between.

Do you want the convenience of living in the city but love the peacefulness and serenity of country living?

Take a walk in the lush green space, through the forest, and along the lakes that adorn a neighbourhood so beautiful you've only dreamed about it. You can have it all in this neighbourhood.

We've all seen the communities of Winnipeg home, the cookie cutter designs with large garages in the front, stucco, and small back yards. Most have little or no front yard space, and very little have room for a porch for you to enjoy your morning coffee. So when the community of Bridgewater Forest started its development, we wondered: "Is it going to look like every other development in Winnipeg?"

More and more we are drawn to creative, one of a kind homes that not only provide us comfort but homes that also stand out from the rest with its interior and its exterior design. This, and many more reasons are why home buyers are drawn to the hot new community of Bridgewater Forest.

All homes are unique and the builders of the community follow strict architectural guidelines. Modern and breathtaking with a lot of unique characteristics.

Bridgewater Forest already has it all and it's not in its final stages of development.

Whether you love city living or can't imagine living anywhere but the country, Bridgewater Forest will satisfy both those needs. Just take a walk, dreaming is living in this new community.

Click here to read a great article full of home buyer testimonials from those who have decided to purchase in this new up and coming neighbourhood.  

What more could you ask for, it's worth a look and a buy in this beautiful , new Winnipeg neighbourhood.

The Survive Homeownership Manuel

We at A.D Group always want to look out for our home buyers, so how could we not share this great   article from the people at This Old House! "47 Skills You Need to Survive Homeownership" gives you how-tos from fixing a leaky faucet to moving a refrigerator by yourself. Give it a read and let us know what you think! 

Stark to Stylish: Home Decor For Your New Home

So you're all moved in - or at least the boxes- but now what? When do you even start thinking about style, colour, texture, size?

Don't worry! All you need is the right combination of inspiration and design smarts to turn your new home from stark to stylish.

First things first, pick up some home decor magazines, watch the Home & Garden Network or even stop by and get to know the neighbour's... (living rooms). It won't happen immediately but over a few months you will get a feel for your home and know what you not only WANT but NEED from the design.

Now work room by room, most people will start with the larger public rooms where you are more likely to have company (For example: the living room, family room, kitchen and dining room).

Before you know it your home will be complete and if you truly enjoyed designing it you may regret rushing through it. So take your time, keep your eyes open and enjoy making your new home truly a reflection of yourself!

Still worried?  Have no fear, there's an app for that! Check out the Top 5 Home Decor Apps



Top 5 Home Decor Apps

Country Mouse, City Mouse

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it" -George Augustus Moore

Winnipeg has always been my home. My Dad was born here and grew up a city kid. My Mom was raised on a farm two hours west of the city and was raised a country kid. I was a child with cousins and relatives both in the city as well as across rural Manitoba, and when it came to visiting family, that meant the best of both worlds for me.

Quading down the dirt trails

I was always curious about the "country life" vs "city life" dynamic and which I might prefer. The city was certainly home for me, but visiting the country often involved exciting activities I could never do in the city. Shooting potato guns, trips on the quad, riding horses, learning about tractors. Whether people were having fun or doing work, there was simply more space for everything. The country was quieter and relaxing and I always seemed to learn something useful. I was outside often and even chores seemed to be more fun (the riding lawnmower was a favourite of mine). Above all, things seemed to move at a different pace; a more flexible, natural pace.

By comparison, the city is a whirling dervish. Busy bodies, appointments, schedules, everything in motion. People often live close to the things they need and the places they go, because it takes longer to move around. The city is noisy but things are convenient, and they have to be since everyone is quickly scurrying from one engagement to the next. Events bring people together in large numbers, and they meet in large buildings for large and fancy reasons. Restaurants are certainly a gem of city life, and with the amount of restaurant turnover in Winnipeg, we can always look forward to something new.

The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

I remember asking my Mom if it was a difficult decision to move into the city. She replied that she came to Winnipeg for school, met my Dad and ended up staying. I knew her to be very happy in the city, but on family visits to the country, I witnessed her spirit transform. The return to the environment of her youth seemed to empower her. A strong connection still existed, and I assumed it was because, to her, the country was home.  I wondered whether I would find it difficult to move out of the city and call the country home should the opportunity one day knock.

The country mouse and the city mouse have very different lifestyles, yet both achieve a pleasant degree of balance in their daily motion. Have you experienced a few weeks living in your counter-environment? Could you see yourself living in that place long-term, or will the landscape you grew up in be the only place you consider home? At A.D. Group, we meet many people who are moving into the urban Winnipeg for the first time. We enjoy educating people about life here in the city, and finding the right home for families call just that: "home".

What's in a location?

Buying a home is such an exciting process. It's easy to get wrapped up in finding the perfect house, but everyone knows location just as crucial. When you think location, what comes to mind? Is it distance from downtown? Neighbourhood? Access to a good school?

There are many desirables that make certain communities more attractive to certain people than others. Some people prefer to live in a vibrant, active community, removed from their work environment, while others like living close to the office or the places where they spend much of their time.

Below is a great graphic that provides some extra proximity factors to consider when choosing a location.  Make a list of which criteria you value, as well as the ones you are indifferent about. This exercise will be very helpful in narrowing your search!

At A.D Group, we're interested and always listening to what home-buyers are saying.

Tweet us what you care most about from a location perspective: @ADGroup_Realty

Click on the image to view with clarity.

His Or Hers?

We enjoyed this article on the difference in home preferences according to gender. Let us know if you agree or disagree with some of these points.  


How home preferences have changed...

Photos by 123 RF

Couples may be on the same page when it comes to the goal of owning their own home, but the wish list of preferences differs for men and women. This is one reason why having a list of individual preferences can help you narrow down the priorities that are most important to you. Additionally, the counsel of a REALTOR®   will help couples get on the same page when it comes to desired features.